Do Travel Agents get heads up on discounts?

[weesignlanguage]

Title says it all...just curious if independent travel agents usually get a heads up that Free dining or room discounts are coming out. I have a couple of FB friends who are also disney vacation planners and wondered if they might know ahead. Thanks!

 

[krohloff08]

I never really knew before they were out. I was one of those agents that as soon as I saw a discount I checked all of my files to see if they qualified and if so, got them converted right away. There were times that the price dropped $400!

Kim

 

[shopn24seven]

I have a TA friend and she says, YES, but not sure how much beforehand she founds out.

 

[kar0066]

I booked several trips with the same TA over the past few years. We both found it amusing that I found out about discounts before she did on the disboards.

 

[weesignlanguage]

That makes me feel better! I told my friends to let me know if they heard anything about FD and they both said they haven't yet. I was worried there for a sec!! Man I wish FD would hurry up and come out for Jan!!

 

[momof2minnies]

I booked several trips with the same TA over the past few years. We both found it amusing that I found out about discounts before she did on the disboards.

Same here- I knew from the boards or from a WDW email before AAA agent knew- supposed to be Disney certified but she was cluelss

Linda

 

[peaceluv&mickeymouse]

On the Disney World site the special offers tab now has a picture with Mickey and Christmas presents. The fall free dining is gone as well Hoping they are preparing the website for some 2013 offers. Looking for January here!

I have a travel agent friend and she does not know offers before we do .

 

[Hoopfamily]

I know from boards like this one, before any TA I know. I've had AAA ask me in a hushed tone over the phone "Where did you get this information, who gave it to you?" I've also spoken to non AAA TA and they only know the most cursory info about Disney in general. It's rare for me to run across someone TA or not in my daily life that has more info than me. Of course I also have access to the best online forum.

 

[GovieMom]

I truly believe that certain Disney-authorized TA businesses get advance notice. Reason being ... practically every time we have a trip booked, our TA will e-mail me a day or two before a discount is announced, asking if "such-and-such" special offer becomes available, would we want to upgrade, switch resorts, etc. For our upcoming trip, our TA knew we wanted a deal of any kind. I opened an e-mail from her early one morning (the day Free Dining was announced) saying we had it applied to our reservation! (The e-mail was sent after midnight the night before.) At that time the Free Dining offer hadn't been mentioned on Disboards yet; there was still speculation if and when there would be one. There are a lot of TA's out there; you just have to find the right ones!

 

[kddisney502]

On the Disney World site the special offers tab now has a picture with Mickey and Christmas presents. The fall free dining is gone as well Hoping they are preparing the website for some 2013 offers. Looking for January here!

Yesterday was the deadline for booking fall FD. Yesterday was also the deadline for booking the room only discount for October. (you can still book for Nov/Dec) So they may have only updated the picture/description to apply more to the current offer. The picture before was Halloween themed, whcih really doesn't apply for Nov/Dec.

At any rate, they should be annoucing new discounts soon. Last year the winter room only discounts came out to the public on 10-5-11. Disney Visa cardholders were able to book it a few days in advance.

 

[shopn24seven]

My TA friend just texted me....
They will be releasing a % tier, but throughout the end of 2012. Guess the last 3 months of the year are hurting for bookings.

I want 2013 discounts.

 

[kddisney502]

My TA friend just texted me....
They will be releasing a % tier, but throughout the end of 2012. Guess the last 3 months of the year are hurting for bookings.

I want 2013 discounts.

They already have a % tier discount through the end of 2012...and have since Aug. So not really sure what else they could be releasing?

 

[shopn24seven]

I thought they just had the FD, which ended.